2008 Calendars
So, would anyone be interested in 2008 Calendars?
I was a bit surprised at how much effort I had to put forth last year to gather the 24 images I needed for the XK and XKE calendars (and many thanks to the folks who let me use their images). The printed calendars require very large originals to look decent, so it’s a bit of a chore to gather them.
I’m fairly confident I don’t have the materials needed to publish an XJS or Saloon calendar this year.
I wish the margins were better or the calendars cheaper. It feels a bit shoddy to ask $20 for a calendar, but $15 of that goes to the printer, and while the 100 calendars sold last year added $500 towards the hosting costs, obviously that’s not a fabulous return on a week’s work. I could lower the unit cost considerably by using a “real” printer, but I’d have to fork out of pocket for them up-front plus relying on me to mail them out in a timely fashion is just begging for disaster.
What do y’all think of the final panel of the 2007 XK Calendar? That type of collage takes a bit of time but also allows me to use photos from the web site at native resolution, which means I only need to go through and choose the images, and not worry about chasing folks down for their large originals. (I obviously would be hard-pressed to find time to do a bunch of them.)
Please let me know your thoughts.
Hi Rodger,
I have asked and recieved the calendar as a gift the last few years.
If a family member had not gotten it for me I would have ordered it myself.
I appreciate the work you do for the calendar, and sure would be disapointed if the large pictures of E-types were no longer available.
I still keep the past years posted in the garage just for the pictures.
I can’t think of any other way to have such nice pictures to promote our Jaguar cars.
Compared to mass produced calendars $20.00 may seem high, but for the small quantity sold I understand and
have no problem with the price. If necessary, I would still pay a little more as I undertsand I get more than just a Calendar.
There is a very nice website to use.
Thanks Rodger, for your effort for the website and the much enjoyed Calendars
Comment by Brad Kingan — July 26, 2007 @ 9:56 pm
Roger, I’m with Brad on this one. In fact, I bought two 2007 calendars–one for my office at home and the other for work. $20.00 for something that lasts all year isn’t unreasonable, and if it helps maintain the website it’s money well spent. And I also keep previous years just for the pictures. I like the collage idea, especially if it allows you to feature cars in addtion to the twelve in the rest of the calendar. I can’t believe you sold only 100 last year.
Comment by Mark Shipley — July 27, 2007 @ 10:59 am
Price? Who cares about the price? These things are PRICELESS! =)
Besides, at least with the E-types, I’ve noted a general improvement in the overall quality of the photograph submitted to the site over the past two years… I imagine the pickings for a calendar are now a target-rich environment. Unlike say 2005 when you had to beg for good photos.
I’d be suicidal if I could not have my XKEdata calendar on my office wall! I buy at least two more for gifts every year.
–chuck
Comment by chuck goolsbee — July 27, 2007 @ 11:02 am
As a ‘new’ (3months) owner of my E-Type, I haven’t had the opportunity to see the 2007 calendar… but I feel that $20 is not much to pay to enjoy gorgeous E-Types all year long on the office wall! Count me in!
By the way, as a professional photog, I might be able to help out…
Bruno (#888981)
Comment by Bruno Stevens — July 27, 2007 @ 12:17 pm
I’d buy at least one, and would be happy to supply some hi-res, large photos.
Comment by Alan A — July 27, 2007 @ 8:34 pm
Roger spends hours and HOURS working on these! I’m so glad his hard work is appreciated.
I can help mail them if that is an issue this year.
-Allie (Roger’s wife
Comment by Allie — July 28, 2007 @ 8:33 pm
Roger,
I have purchased the last 2 years calandars, they are expensive but they are worth it, I appreciate your hard work and I would pay more also.
Richard
Comment by Richard — July 29, 2007 @ 10:25 am
If I were you I would just do one calendar, a combination of 6 XKs and 6 E-types. That would be easier on you and one product could satisfy everyone.
I like the calendars very much for my own use and as gifts.
Comment by Paul McNabb — August 2, 2007 @ 7:26 am
Roger,
Last year’s calendar didn’t appear under the Christmas tree and I regretted not getting it myself. The Classic Motorsports calendar in my office just didn’t get it done. I was unhappy to answer inquiries about racing Datsuns, knowing it could have been an E-Type on display. You had some fantastic photography in last year’s product. Besides, I finally got some decent hi-res photos! I’m in for an E-Type calendar.
Marc
878892
Comment by Marc Cherry — August 5, 2007 @ 1:42 pm
Hi Roger: I`m not new to xkedata but have`nt been around for a couple of yrs: I had car # 875190: I`m in process of buying car # 880827: How do I order one calender? Thanx, Russ
Comment by Russ C. — September 21, 2007 @ 4:54 am
Hi Roger,
I am very happy to know that you are preparing the 2008 calendar. Be sure that i will order a few…. The price seems ok to me and the final panel you did for the 2007 calendar is really great.
You could even think of doing more than one panel like that (this would work well for a restoration, for exemple…). My favorite exemple of the 2007 calendar was the mix one, E types and XK’s.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me for high definitions pics of E type n° 1E34282 and n° 888098.
Best regards,
Vincent
Comment by vincent bihr — October 2, 2007 @ 7:37 am